One of my favorite ways to start my is day with a quick trip to the track to watch the workouts, chat with other visitors, and practice trying to get clear and interesting shots of the horses. I’m having some trouble keeping the shots from being blurry, but half the fun is in the effort…and lots of practice.
I think I’m starting to become something of a familiar face already…lots of these guys call out to me to say good morning and wave for a photo. Every morning!
I stop at Dunkin Donuts for my coffee, pay my $12 or $15 to park trackside (depending on weekday or weekend, and refunded when I leave before 10:00am), and head on in where I spend my time at the fence, taking shot after shot after shot, while trying to play with my settings to get a clearer photo. I remain a work in progress, but I think I might be getting the hang of this.
It’s really a great way to start the day. I personally love the angle of the sun in the early morning and the way it highlights the manes and tails of the horses…and the misty/foggy mornings which add an element of mysticism to the entire scene. It is always different, but always so beautiful.
I love seeing all the little kids all dressed up and excited, sitting on their fathers’ shoulders, or strapped into their strollers, or even running along the fence as the thoroughbreds go racing past .
I’ve been trying to work on getting the backgrounds to blur and keep the horses sharply in focus to show motion. I haven’t quite got the hang of it yet, but it is a really cool effect and one I am willing to keep working on.
If you haven’t been to the track to watch the workouts, or to enjoy breakfast and/or the backstretch, do yourself a favor and check it out. It is a very relaxing and enjoyable way to start your day. It is why I am there as often as I am!
